Horticulture grow lights

ABSTRACT

A grow light includes a plurality of cool white LEDs, a plurality of warm white LEDs, and a driver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs. An intensity level and spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow light may be tuned or configured by varying a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs to the quantity of warm white LEDs, by varying a spatial arrangement among the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs, or by varying a level of current provided to some or all of the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/785,379, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office onOct. 16, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/280,996, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Officeon Sep. 29, 2016, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/234,480 filed Sep. 29, 2015, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many challenges arise when attempting to grow plants and otherphotoautotrophs indoors. Among them, the greatest is the task ofproviding such organisms the radiant energy they need to optimizephotosynthesis. Previously existing grow lights, such as high-pressuresodium lamp grow lights, metal halide lamp grow lights, and grow lightsfeaturing blue and red LEDs, have addressed the challenge by employing ashotgun-approach. Namely, they provide a large, fixed volume of lighthaving a fixed spectral composition with the hope that the target cropwill receive the type and amount of radiant energy it requires foroptimal growth. Such grow lights waste considerable amounts of energy byproducing light with spectral compositions that are not optimal forphotosynthesis. Moreover, they fail to take advantage of the fact thatthe effectiveness with which photoautotrophs absorb and respond todifferent intensities and spectral compositions often varies dependingon species, season, growth cycle, and other factors. Additionally, inmany cases, previously existing grow lights emit large volumes of lightin hues that are unnatural, uncomfortable, and possibly even harmful forhorticulturalists tasked with tending to crop under such lights (e.g.,visible purple or pink hues produced by simultaneously using blue LEDsand red LEDs).

SUMMARY

In one or more embodiments, a horticulture grow light includes aplurality of cool white LEDs, a plurality of warm white LEDs, and adriver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs and the warm whiteLEDs. The horticulture grow light is configured to emit a radiant energyhaving a spectral composition having a first-highest peak wavelength offrom 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm and, with respect to thefirst-highest peak wavelength, a second-highest peak wavelength of from400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm.

In one or more embodiments, a horticulture grow light includes aplurality of cool white LEDs, a plurality of warm white LEDs, a firstdriver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs, and a second driverelectrically coupled to the warm white LEDs. The horticulture grow lightis configured to emit a radiant energy having a spectral compositionhaving a first-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from560 nm to 780 nm and, with respect to the first-highest peak wavelength,a second-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nmto 780 nm.

In one or more embodiments, a horticulture grow light includes aplurality of light engines. Each of the light engines includes aplurality of cool white LEDs and a plurality of warm white LEDs. Thegrow light includes a driver electrically coupled to at least one of thelight engines. The horticulture grow light is configured to emit aradiant energy having a spectral composition having a first-highest peakwavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm and, withrespect to the first-highest peak wavelength, a second-highest peakwavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm or from 560 nm to 780 nm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary grow light in accordance withone or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary grow light in accordance withone or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a light engine of an exemplary grow light inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective elevation view of an exemplary grow light inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a perspective elevation view of an exemplary grow light inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective elevation view of an interior of a housing ofthe exemplary grow light shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a tuned or configured spectralcomposition of an exemplary grow light having a plurality of cool whiteLEDs and a plurality of warm white LEDs in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating a tuned or configured spectralcomposition of an exemplary grow light having one or more light enginesand one or more supplemental radiation engines in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating another tuned or configured spectralcomposition of an exemplary grow light having one or more light enginesand one or more supplemental radiation engines in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described and illustrated by way of one or more exemplaryembodiments, novel horticulture grow lights are provided (e.g., whiteLED grow lights). As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizeand appreciate, the one or more embodiments described and/or illustratedin this application are provided for explanatory purposes only and areneither exhaustive nor otherwise limited to the precise forms describedand/or illustrated. On the contrary, as those of ordinary skill in theart will readily recognize and appreciate in view of the teachings inthis application, additional embodiments and variations are possible inlight of, and contemplated by, such teachings. For purposes of thisapplication, the term “exemplary” means one of many possiblenon-limiting examples provided for explanatory purposes. As used in thisapplication, the term “exemplary” does not mean preferable, optimal, orideal, and does not mean that the presence of any elements, components,or steps present in any subject matter referenced as “exemplary” arenecessary or required in other possible embodiments or variations of thereferenced subject matter. For purposes of this application, thearticles “a” and “an” mean one or more unless otherwise stated (e.g.,when followed by the term “plurality”). For purposes of thisapplication, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and“including” all mean including but not limited to the items, elements,components, or steps listed.

As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a light-emittingdiode (LED) is a two-lead semiconductor light source. When a forwardcurrent flows through a semiconductor diode junction, electrons andholes in the semiconductor material recombine to release energy in theform of photons. The use of semiconductor materials that release photonshaving wavelengths that are perceived by the human eye as blue (e.g.,gallium-nitride) may be combined with one or more phosphors layered onthe inside of an LED lens (e.g., a single phosphor or a phosphor blend).In such cases, the human eye perceives the blue photons only afterhaving passed through the phosphor, the effect of which casts a lightthat the human eye perceives as white.

Not all white light produced by LEDs is identical. Depending on thesemiconductor materials and the types and amounts of phosphors used,white light may correspond to one of many different color temperaturesexpressed in kelvins (K). For purposes of this application, the term“color temperature” means the temperature of an ideal black-bodyradiator that radiates light of comparable hue to that of the lightsource being referenced. The color temperatures comprise a spectrum thatincludes cool white light, neutral white light, and warm white light.For purposes of this application, the term “warm” means having a colortemperature that is less than or equal to 3500 K, while the term “cool”means having a color temperature that is equal to or greater than 5000K. For purposes of this application, the term “neutral” means having acolor temperature that is between 3501 K and 4999 K.

In one or more embodiments, a grow light includes a plurality of coolwhite LEDs and a plurality of warm white LEDs. The grow light mayinclude a driver electrically coupled to the cool white LEDs and thewarm white LEDs. Alternatively, the plurality of cool white LEDs and theplurality of warm white LEDs may be electrically connected to separatedrivers. In one or more embodiments, a desired intensity level and/orspectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow light maybe tuned or configured. The intensity and/or spectral composition may betuned or configured by varying a ratio of the quantity of cool whiteLEDs to the quantity of warm white LEDs, by varying a spatialarrangement among the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs, and/or byvarying a level of current provided to some or all of the cool whiteLEDs and/or warm white LEDs.

The grow lights described in this application provide numeroustechnological advancements and benefits over previously existinghorticulture grow lights. In one or more embodiments, such advancementsand benefits include the ability to achieve significantly increasedyields by tuning or configuring the intensity level and/or spectralcomposition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow light. The abilityto tune or configure the intensity level and/or spectral compositiongives horticulturalists the ability to provide a target crop withradiant energy having spectral peaks that are commensurate with thecrop's actual photosynthetic needs during a particular season or growcycle (e.g., photosynthetically active radiation, ultraviolet radiation,and/or infrared radiation). In addition to enabling increased cropyields, the ability to focus radiant energy in select spectrums that atarget crop can actually absorb and use during photosynthesis (e.g.,through the formation of predetermined spectral peaks within thespectral composition) results in grow lights that are far more energyefficient than previously existing grow lights (e.g., reducing relativeenergy consumption by up to 50% in one or more embodiments). Given theseadvancements, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that ahorticulturalist's use of one or more embodiments of the grow lightsdescribed in this application is, in contrast to the shotgun approachemployed by previously existing horticultural grow lights, akin to aperforming surgery with a scalpel rather than a machete.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments the grow lights described in thisapplication include wireless (e.g., cloud-based) and/or autonomouscontrol modules that include or are compatible with native and/or remotecontrol software. As a result, in one or more embodiments the growlights may be programmed to retune, reconfigure, or otherwisedynamically change the intensity and/or spectral composition of theradiant energy provided to a target plant or other photoautotroph. Theretuning or reconfiguration may occur automatically in response to apredetermined trigger or event, or it may occur in real-time asrequested by a user (e.g., “on-demand” or “on-the-fly”). The ability torepeatedly retune, reconfigure, or otherwise dynamically change theintensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy the lightsemit permits horticulturalists to employ a “cradle-to-crave” approach inwhich a crop may remain in the same location under the same lightthroughout all stages of its growth cycle (e.g., beginning with seedgermination or with a seedling, cutting, or clone and proceeding throughthe vegetative, budding, flowering, and ripening stages).

Additionally, in one or more embodiments the dominant visible light (orthe only perceptible visible light) emitted by the grow lights describedin this application is white light (e.g., through the use ofpredominantly or only white LEDs). As a result, the grow lights emit aradiant energy that the human body may perceive as significantly morenatural than the pink or purple hues emitted by previously existinghorticultural grow lights. Thus, horticulturalists who tend to cropsunder one or more embodiments of the grow lights described in thisapplication may experience less discomfort and health risks and be ableto do so without wearing special eye protection.

The many technological advancements and benefits provided by one or moreembodiments of the grow lights described in this application may beemployed in any number of horticultural and/or agriculturalapplications, including the production of plants, algae, cyanobacteria,other photoautotrophs, and other applications that those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize and appreciate in view of the teachingsin this application.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary grow light in accordance withone or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, a grow light 10includes a plurality of cool white LEDs 15, a plurality of warm whiteLEDs 20, and a driver 25 electrically coupled to cool white LEDs 15 andwarm white LEDs 20. In one or more embodiments, cool white LEDs 15 mayhave a color temperature ranging from 5000 K to 8000K. In one or moreembodiments, for example, cool white LEDs 15 may be Samsung LM561B 5000K or “50K” LEDs. In one or more embodiments, for example, warm whiteLEDs 20 may have a color temperature ranging from 2000 K to 3000 K. Inone or more embodiments, warm white LEDs 20 may be Samsung LM561B K or“30K” LEDs. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that,although white LEDs having certain color temperatures are described inthis application for exemplary purposes, combinations of white LEDshaving other temperatures (e.g., ranging from 2200 K to 12000 K) aremade possible in view of, and contemplated by, these teachings.Moreover, although one or more embodiments are provided in the contextof LEDs, one or more embodiments of grow light 10 may include othertypes of diode-based light sources (e.g., organic light-emitting diode(OLED) lights).

Although FIG. 1 illustrates a single driver 25, in one or moreembodiments grow light 10 may include a plurality of drivers. Grow light10 may, for instance, include a first driver electrically coupled tocool white LEDs 15 and a second driver electrically coupled to warmwhite LEDs 20. Cool white LEDs 15 may be electrically coupled to oneanother and/or to driver 25 within a first circuit, while warm whiteLEDs 20 may be electrically coupled to one another and/or to driver 25within a second circuit. In one or more embodiments, cool white LEDs 15and warm white LEDs 20 may be electrically coupled to one another and/orto driver 25 within a single combined circuit.

As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, driver 25 has apower rating commensurate with the quantity of, and level of currentprovided to, each of cool white LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 15. Driver25 may, for example, have a 400 W power rating, a 120 W power rating, a25 W power rating, or another power rating recognized as suitable bythose of ordinary skill in the art. Driver 25 may be manually switchedthrough a fixture-mounted rocker, or driver 25 may be automaticallyswitched by a wireless controller and timer. Tuning or configuring thelight intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energyemitted by grow light 10 may include tuning or configuring driver 25 toprovide a predetermined level of current to some or all of cool whiteLEDs 15 and/or warm white LEDs 20 (e.g., 80 to 90 milliamps, asdiscussed later in further detail).

Although the block diagram of FIG. 1 depicts certain components andconnections for illustrative purposes, those of ordinary skill in theart should readily understand and appreciate that other possiblecomponents and connections are possible in light of, and contemplatedby, the teachings in this application. Similarly, although the blockdiagram of FIG. 1 depicts a single grow light 10, those of ordinaryskill in the art should, in view of these teachings, understand andappreciate that a plurality of grow lights 10 may be employed in anelectrically coupled, communicatively coupled (e.g., networked through awireless communications network), or otherwise coupled fashion in whichgrow lights 10 communicate directly with one another or through acentral computerized control system.

In one or more embodiments, a desired intensity level and/or spectralcomposition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light 10 may be tunedor configured by varying a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs 15to the quantity of warm white LEDs 20, by varying a spatial arrangementamong cool white LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20, and/or by varying alevel of current provided to some or all of cool white LEDs 15 and/orwarm white LEDs 20. In one or more embodiments, the spectral compositionof the radiant energy emitted by grow light 10 may be fixed onceinitially tuned or configured (e.g., as might be performed by amanufacturer). In one or more embodiments, the intensity and/or spectralcomposition may be retunable or reconfigurable in real-time eithermanually (e.g., “on-demand” or “on-the-fly” as requested by a user) orautomatically in response to a predetermined trigger or eventestablished by the user (e.g., a manufacturer or an end-user).

In one or more embodiments, a sum of the quantity of cool white LEDs 15and the quantity of warm white LEDs 20 may range from 64 to 2880 LEDs.As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, for example, the sum of thequantity of cool white LEDs 15 and the quantity of warm white LEDs 20 is64, 64, 420, 1680, and 2100, respectively. Although this applicationdescribes a variety of LED quantities within the context of one or moreexemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art shouldrecognize and appreciate that, in view of the teachings in thisapplication, any number of other LED quantities are possible in lightof, and contemplated by, such teachings. The quantity of LEDs employedin any given application may depend on crop size, facilities size,available energy and other resources, and other considerations.

In one or more embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1, thequantity of cool white LEDs 15 may be equal to the quantity of warmwhite LEDs 20. Thus, a ratio of the quantity of cool white LEDs 15 tothe quantity of warm white LEDs 20 may be 1:1. In one or moreembodiments, the quantity of cool white LEDs 15 may be greater than thequantity of warm white LEDs 20. For instance, a ratio of the quantity ofcool white LEDs 15 to the quantity of warm white LEDs may be from 1.1:1to 5:1, such as 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, or 5:1. In one or more embodiments, thequantity of cool white LEDs 15 may be greater than the quantity of warmwhite LEDs 20.

The block diagram of FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary LED arrangement ofgrow light 10 in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one or moreembodiments, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1, cool white LEDs 15are arranged or configured in one or more strips (e.g., rows orcolumns). The plurality of cool white LEDs 15 within each strip may beelectrically coupled in series and, in one or more embodiments in whicha plurality of strips are used, the plurality of strips may beelectrically coupled to driver 25 in parallel. As those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate, there are many other possible ways inwhich cool white LEDs 15 may be electrically coupled to each otherand/or to driver 25 (e.g., through wiring or printed circuit boardtraces); the electrical coupling configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 isbut one example. In one or more embodiments, a spacing 40 among coolwhite LEDs 15 within each strip is uniform. In one or more embodiments,spacing 40 may be non-uniform.

In one or more embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1, warmwhite LEDs 20 are arranged or configured in one or more strips (e.g.,rows or columns). The plurality of warm white LEDs 20 within each stripmay be electrically coupled in series and, in one or more embodiments inwhich a plurality of strips are used, the plurality of strips may beelectrically coupled to driver 25 in parallel. As those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate, there are many other possible ways inwhich warm white LEDs 20 may be electrically coupled to each otherand/or to driver 25 (e.g., through wiring or printed circuit boardtraces); the electrical coupling configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 isbut one example. In one or more embodiments, a spacing 45 among warmwhite LEDs 20 within each strip is uniform. In one or more embodiments,spacing 45 may be non-uniform.

In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1 for example, coolwhite LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20 are arranged or configured in aplurality of alternating strips (e.g., rows or columns) so as to form anarray. In one or more embodiments, a spacing 50 among the alternatingstrips of cool white LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20 is uniform. In oneor more embodiments, spacing 50 may be non-uniform. In one or moreembodiments, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality ofstrips alternate with a 1:1 frequency (i.e., one strip of cool whiteLEDs 15, one strip of warm white LEDs 20, one strip of cool white LEDs15, one strip of warm white LEDs 20, and so forth). In one or moreembodiments, the strips may alternate at other suitable frequencies(e.g., one strip of warm white LEDs 20, a plurality of strips of coolwhite LEDs 15, one strip of warm white LEDs 20, a plurality of coolwhite LEDs 20, and so forth).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary grow light in accordance withone or more embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates, in accordance with one ormore embodiments, another exemplary LED arrangement of a grow light 10.In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of cool white LEDs 15 andat least a portion of warm white LEDs 20 are, as illustrated in FIG. 2,arranged or configured such that each cool white LED 15 is adjacent toor neighbors at least two warm white LEDs 20. In other words, cool whiteLEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20 may be spatially intermixed or arrangedor configured in an alternating pattern with respect to one another(e.g., in a row direction and/or in a column direction). In one or moreembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2 for example, a spacing 55 betweeneach cool white LED 15 and each adjacent or neighboring warm white LED20 is uniform throughout the array of cool white LEDs 15 and warm whiteLEDs 20. In one or more embodiments, spacing 55 may be non-uniform. Asthose of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, there are many otherpossible ways in which each of cool white LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20may be electrically coupled to each other and/or to drivers 30 and 35(e.g., through wiring or printed circuit board traces); the electricalcoupling configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 is but one example.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a light engine 60 of an exemplary grow light inaccordance with one or more embodiments. For purposes of thisapplication, the term “light engine” means at least a plurality of LEDchips electrically coupled to a circuit board. As illustrated in FIG. 3,in one or more embodiments grow light 10 includes at least one lightengine 60. Light engine 60 includes cool white LEDs 15, warm white LEDs20, and a circuit board 65 (e.g., a printed circuit board) to which coolwhite LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20 are mounted or otherwiseelectrically coupled. Light engine 60 includes a power connector 67through which cool white LEDs 15 and/or warm white LEDs 20 may beelectrically coupled to driver 25 as shown in FIG. 1 or to a pluralityof drivers, such as drivers 30 and 35 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective elevation view of an exemplary grow light inaccordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 4, inone or more embodiments grow light 10 includes a plurality of lightengines 60. Light engines 60 may each be independently tuned orconfigured to emit radiant energy having a different intensity and/orspectral composition with respect to one another (e.g., where differentplants or plants of different growth cycles may be positioned under eachlight engine 60, or where the different light intensities and/ordifferent spectral compositions of the radiant energies emitted by eachlight engines 60 are summed, integrated, or otherwise combined tocollectively achieve a desired overall intensity and/or spectralcomposition emitted by grow light 10). Alternatively, some or all oflight engines 60 may be tuned or configured to emit radiant energyhaving the same intensity and/or spectral composition with respect toone another. Each of light engines 60 may be of any physical dimensionsand may include any overall quantity of cool white LEDs 15 and warmwhite LEDs 20. Those of ordinary skill in the art should, in view ofthese teachings, appreciate that the light engines depicted in FIG. 4and elsewhere in this application (e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6) are exemplaryand that other possible configurations, including light engines having avariety of geometric layouts, are contemplated by such teachings.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, grow light 10 includes a housing 70. Housing70 houses a plurality of electrical components, including one or moredrivers that provide current to light engines 60 (e.g., driver 25 asshown in FIG. 1 or drivers 30 and 35 as shown in FIG. 2). Housing 70 mayfurther include other components, examples of which are illustrated inFIG. 5. Housing 70 further includes a power cord through which growlight 10 may receive electrical power (e.g., 110-120 VAC/60 Hz ascommonly provided by wall outlets in the United States). Housing 70 maybe formed of aluminum (e.g., unpainted aluminum) or other materialsrecognize as suitable by those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 5 is a perspective elevation view of an exemplary grow light inaccordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 5, growlight 10 may also include one or more supplemental radiation engines 80in addition to housing 70 and light engines 60 shown in FIG. 4. Housing70 may include one or more user control interfaces 85. User controlinterfaces 85 may include, for example, one or more power switches bywhich a user may power on or off one or more circuits of grow light 10(e.g., a first power switch that may power on and off a first circuitthat includes cool white LEDs 15 of each light engine 60, a second powerswitch that may power on and off a second circuit that includes warmwhite LEDs 20 of each light engine 60, and a third power switch that maypower on and off a third circuit that includes a plurality ofsupplemental radiation emitters 87 of radiation engines 80). Usercontrol interfaces 85 may further include one or more knobs, dials,buttons, sliders, pressure sensors, touch screens, or other controlinterfaces by which a user may retune or reconfigure the intensityand/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light10 in real-time (e.g., “on-demand” or “on-the-fly”). In one or moreembodiments, user control interfaces 85 may include a potentiometer(e.g., a 50 KΩ potentiometer) electrically coupled to each circuit ofgrow light 10 (e.g., a first circuit that includes cool white LEDs 15 ofeach light engine 60, a second circuit that includes warm white LEDs 20of each light engine 60, and a third circuit that includes supplementalradiation emitters 87 of supplemental radiation engines 80). Thepotentiometer may, for example, be electrically coupled in series witheach driver of grow light 10.

In one or more embodiments, grow light 10 may include an integrated PARmeter or spectrometer that measures an intensity and/or spectralcomposition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light 10 in real-timeand display a spectral graph to the user (e.g., the spectral graphillustrated in FIGS. 7-9). As a result, the user may retune orreconfigure the intensity and/or spectral composition in real-time asdesired based on the data provided in the spectral graph (e.g., byadjusting the current levels provided by the drivers).

Each of supplemental radiation engines 80 may be of any physicaldimensions and may include any overall quantity of supplementalradiation emitters 87. Those of ordinary skill in the art should, inview of these teachings, appreciate that the supplemental radiationengines depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 are exemplary and that other possibleconfigurations, including light engines having a variety of geometriclayouts, are contemplated by such teachings.

FIG. 6 is a perspective elevation view of an interior of housing theexemplary grow light shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with one or moreembodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 6, housing 70 of grow light 10houses first and second drivers 30 and 35 (as likewise illustrated inblock-diagram form in FIG. 2) and a third driver 90. First driver 30 iselectrically coupled to each light engine 60 and provides current tocool white LEDs 15 of each light engine 60 (as illustrated for examplein FIG. 2). Second driver 35 is electrically coupled to each lightengine 60 and provides current to warm white LEDs 20 of each lightengine 60 (also illustrated in FIG. 2). Third driver 90 is electricallycoupled to each supplemental radiation engine 80 and provides current toone or more supplemental radiation emitters 87 of each supplementalradiation engine 80 (e.g., ultraviolet radiation emitters, infraredradiation emitters, or supplemental white light emitters tuned orconfigured so as to emit supplemental radiant energies having anintensity and/or spectral composition that compliments or supplementsthe radiant energies emitted by light engines 60). In one or moreembodiments, each supplemental radiation engine 80 may produce 5000milliwatts of ultraviolet radiation.

Grow light 10 further includes (e.g., within housing 70 as depicted inFIG. 6), one or more control modules (e.g., control modules 95, 100, and105). Control modules 95, 100, and 105 may each be an autonomous controlmodule (and may include a graphical user interface, such as a digitalgraphical user interface, or other user control interface), a wirelesscontrol module, or another control module recognized as suitable bythose of ordinary skill in the art. Control module 95 is electricallycoupled to driver 30 and permits the user to control the currentsupplied by driver 30 to cool white LEDs 15 of each light engine 60.Control module 100 is electrically coupled to driver 35 and permits theuser to control the current supplied by driver 35 to warm white LEDs 20of each light engine 60. Control module 105 is electrically coupled todriver 90 and permits the user to control the current supplied by driver90 to each supplemental radiation emitter 87 of each supplementalradiation engine 80. By varying the current supplied to cool white LEDs15 and/or warm white LEDs 20 of each light engine 60, the user may tuneor configure the intensity and/or spectral composition of the radiantenergy emitted by each light engine 60. By varying the current suppliedto supplemental radiation emitters 87 of each supplemental radiationengine 80, the user may further tune or configure the manner in whichsupplemental radiation engines 80 compliment or supplement light engines60 to achieve a desired overall intensity and/or overall spectralcomposition of the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light 10.Although FIG. 6 illustrates grow light 10 as including three drivers(i.e., driver 30, driver 35, and driver 90), in one or more embodimentsgrow light 10 may alternatively include only a single driver (e.g.,driver 25 as illustrated in FIG. 1, which may be a multi-channel driverto reduce cost, lower weight specifications, and streamline the assemblyprocess) or more or less than three drivers depending on the quantity,power, and control requirements of light engines 60 and/or supplementalradiation engines 80.

In one or more embodiments in which control modules 95, 100, and/or 105are wireless control modules, control modules 95, 100, and/or 105 maycommunicate with one more remote computing devices (e.g., one or moreweb servers, application servers, and/or cloud servers, any or all ofwhich may in turn communicate with each other and/or a mobileapplication or other software application presenting a graphical userinterface through which a user may send tuning, configuration, and/orother control signals to control modules 95, 100, and/or 105.

Although FIG. 6 depicts a single grow light 10, those of ordinary skillin the art should, in view of the teachings in this application,understand and appreciate that a plurality of such grow lights 10 may beemployed in an electrically coupled, communicatively coupled (e.g.,networked through a wireless communications network), or otherwisecoupled fashion in which grow lights 10 communicate directly with oneanother or through a central computerized control system. The pluralityof networked grow lights 10 (e.g., one or more banks of networked growlights 10) may be controlled through a distributed or enterprise-levelwireless control system or, in scenarios in which access to the Internetor other wide area network is limited or unavailable, through a localarea network (e.g., featuring a master/slave control configuration). Inone or more embodiments, networked grow lights 10 may each include usercontrol interfaces 85 as a manual backup to such distributed orenterprise-level wireless control system. In one or more embodiments inwhich control modules 95, 100, and/or 105 are wireless control modules,control modules 95, 100, and/or 105 may be configured or programmed toautomatically retune or reconfigure the intensity and/or spectralcomposition of the radiant energy emitted from one or more light engines60 and/or supplemental radiation engines 80 based on calendarscheduling, circadian cycles, sunrise/sunset times, and/or otherconsiderations dictated by plant species, growth cycle, season, andother factors affecting plant growth.

Although in one or more embodiments driver 30, driver 35, driver 90,control module 95, control module 100, and control module 105 may behoused within housing 70 of grow light 10, driver 30, driver 35, driver90, control module 95, control module 100, and/or control module 105 mayalternatively be disposed outside of housing 70 and/or in a locationremote from housing 70 (e.g., in a separate housing, in a separateregion of a room, or in a separate room or building) while stillremaining electrically and/or communicatively coupled to light engines60, supplemental radiation engines 80, and other components of growlight 10. Those of ordinary skill in the art should, in view of theseteachings, recognize and appreciate that there are many possible ways inwhich the various components of grow light 10 may be spatially disposedand electrically and/or communicatively coupled so as to functiontogether as grow light 10 (e.g., as a distributed system). Although FIG.6 illustrates grow light 10 as including three control modules (i.e.,control modules 95, 100, and 105), in one or more embodiments grow light10 may alternatively include more or less than three control modules,such as a single control module (e.g., a multi-channel control module)that governs all drivers depending on the quantity, power, and controlrequirements of light engines 60 and/or supplemental radiation engines80.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, housing 70 of grow light 10 includes a powerentry module 110 configured to distribute power from an external powersource (e.g., a 110-120 VAC/60 Hz power supply as commonly provided bystandard wall outlets in the United States) to the various electricalcomponents of grow light 10. Although FIG. 6 depicts certain componentsand connections for illustrative purposes, those of ordinary skill inthe art should readily understand and appreciate that other possiblecomponents and connections are possible in light of, and contemplatedby, these teachings.

FIG. 7 is a graph 115 illustrating a tuned or configured spectralcomposition of an exemplary grow light having a plurality of cool whiteLEDs 15 and a plurality of warm white LEDs 20 as illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 1-4. As discussed above, in one or more embodiments adesired intensity level and spectral composition of the radiant energyemitted by grow light 10 may be tuned or configured by varying a ratioof the quantity of cool white LEDs 15 to the quantity of warm white LEDs20, by varying a spatial arrangement among cool white LEDs 15 and warmwhite LEDs 20, and/or by varying a level of current provided to some orall of cool white LEDs 15, warm white LEDs 20, and supplementalradiation emitters 87.

Tuning or configuring the intensity and/or spectral composition of theradiant energy emitted by grow light 10 may include tuning orconfiguring one or more drivers (e.g., driver 25 as illustrated in FIG.1). In one or more embodiments, driver 25 may be configured to provideto an equal current level to each of cool white LEDs 15 and each of warmwhite LEDs 20. In one or more embodiments, driver 25 may alternativelybe configured to provide a first current level to each of the cool whiteLEDs 15 and a second, different current level to each of the warm whiteLEDs 20. In one or more embodiments, a third current level may beprovided to each of supplemental radiation emitters 87. In one or moreembodiments, driver 25 may be configured to provide to each of coolwhite LEDs 15 and/or each of warm white LEDs 20 a current level of from0.1 milliamps (mA) to 1000 mA. The ranges described in this applicationare not intended to be limited to the precise range referenced, butrather are intended to also incorporate margins of error and othervariations to be expected and understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art. In one or more embodiments, driver 25 may be configured toprovide to each of cool white LEDs 15 and/or each of warm white LEDs 20a current level of from 1 mA to 100 mA. In one or more embodiments,driver 25 may be configured to provide to each of the cool white LEDs 15and/or each of the warm white LEDs 20 a current level of from 50 mA to100 mA. In one or more embodiments, driver 25 may be configured toprovide to each of the cool white LEDs 15 and/or each of the warm whiteLEDs 20 a current level of from 70 mA to 90 mA (e.g., 80 mA or 90 mA).In one or more embodiments, driver 90 illustrated in FIG. 6, may beconfigured to provide to each of supplemental radiation emitters 87 acurrent level of from 0.1 mA to 1000 mA. In one or more embodiments, forexample, driver 90 may be configured to deliver a current level of from1 mA to 300 mA, from 50 mA to 250 mA, or from 100 mA to 200 mA.

In one or more embodiments in which control modules 95, 100, and/or 105are configured or programmed to automatically retune or reconfigure theintensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted fromone or more light engines 60 and/or supplemental radiation engines 80based on calendar scheduling, circadian cycles, sunrise/sunset times,and/or other considerations dictated by plant species, growth cycle,season, and other factors affecting plant growth, drivers 30 may beconfigured to provide cool white LEDs 15 a current level of from 0.1 mAto 20 mA during a first predetermined time frame (e.g., a sunrisetimeframe at which the intensity and/or spectral composition of theradiant energy emitted by grow light 10 is designed to emulate one ormore qualities of natural sunlight occurring at sunrise). In one or moreembodiments, drivers 30 may be configured to provide cool white LEDs 15a current level of from 0.1 mA to 10 mA, from 5 mA to 15 mA, or from 5mA to 10 mA during the first predetermined time frame. The level ofcurrent provided to cool white LEDs 15 may be manually or automaticallyvaried as a function of time as the first predetermined time frameprogresses and/or transitions to additional timeframes (e.g., a secondpredetermine timeframe).

Driver 35 may be configured to provide warm white LEDs 20 a currentlevel of from 0.1 mA to 20 mA, from 0.1 mA to 10 mA, from 5 mA to 15 mA,or from 5 mA to 10 mA during the first predetermined time frame. Thelevel of current provided to cool white LEDs 15 may be automaticallyvaried as a function of time as the first predetermined time frameprogresses and/or transitions to additional timeframes (e.g., a secondpredetermine timeframe).

Driver 90 may be configured to provide supplemental radiation emitters87 a current level of from 1 mA to 35 mA, from 5 mA to 30 mA, from 10 mAto 25 mA, or from 15 mA to 20 mA during the first predetermined timeframe. The level of current provided to supplemental radiation emitters87 may be automatically varied as a function of time as the firstpredetermined time frame progresses and/or transitions to additionaltimeframes (e.g., a second predetermine timeframe).

Driver 30 may be configured to provide cool white LEDs 20 a currentlevel of from 0.1 mA to 1000 mA, from 1 mA to 100 mA, from 50 mA to 100mA, or from 70 mA to 90 mA (e.g., 80 mA or 90 mA) during a secondpredetermined time frame (e.g., a noon-day timeframe at which theintensity and/or spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted bygrow light 10 is designed to at least emulate one or more qualities ofnatural sunlight occurring at noon).

Driver 35 may be configured to provide warm white LEDs 20 a currentlevel of from 0.1 mA to 1000 mA, from 1 mA to 100 mA, from 50 mA to 100mA, or from 70 mA to 90 mA (e.g., 80 mA or 90 mA) during the secondpredetermined time frame.

Driver 90 may be configured to provide supplemental radiation emitters87 a current level of from 1 mA to 150 mA, from 25 mA to 125 mA, from 50mA to 100 mA, or from 80 mA to 100 mA during the second predeterminedtime frame.

In one or more embodiments, drivers 30 and 35 may be independentlyconfigured such that the level of current provided by driver 30 may bemanually or automatically varied at a different level or rate than thatof driver 35. In one or more embodiments, drivers 30 and 35 may besynchronized or otherwise configured to vary their respective currentlevels at the same time and/or rate.

In one or more embodiments, driver 90 may be independently configuredsuch that the level of current provided by driver 90 may be manually orautomatically varied at a different level or rate than that of driver 30and/or driver 35. In one or more embodiments, drivers 30, 35, and 90 maybe synchronized or otherwise configured to vary their respective currentlevels at the same time and/or rate.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in one or more embodiments, an overallspectral composition of the radiant energy collectively emitted by coolwhite LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20 of grow light 10 has afirst-highest peak wavelength 120 of from 430 nm to 470 nm to promoteroot growth and photosynthesis. For purposes of this application, theterm “peak wavelength” standing alone and the term “first-highest peakwavelength” each mean the wavelength at which the radiant power (i.e.,the radiance or the radiant intensity) of a source of electromagneticradiation is at a maximum relative to the source's radiant power at allother wavelengths. In one or more embodiments, first-highest peakwavelength 120 may be from 400 nm to 510 nm, from 430 nm to 510 nm, from430 nm to 495 nm, from 430 nm to 460 nm, from 440 nm to 490 nm, from 445nm to 455 nm, or from 449 nm to 451 nm (e.g., 450 nm).

In one or more embodiments, the overall spectral composition of theradiant energy collectively emitted by cool white LEDs 15 and warm whiteLEDs 20 of grow light 10 has, with respect to the first-highest peak120, a second-highest peak wavelength 125 of from 560 nm to 640 nm tostimulate stem growth, flowering, and chlorophyll production. Forpurposes of this application, the term “second-highest peak wavelength”means the wavelength at which the source's radiant power is lower thanat the first-highest peak wavelength but greater than at all wavelengthsother than the first-highest peak wavelength. In one or moreembodiments, second-highest peak wavelength 125 may be from 560 nm to780 nm, from 580 nm to 620 nm, from 590 nm to 610 nm, or from 595 nm to605 nm (e.g., 595).

In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiantenergy contributed by cool white LEDs 15 to the overall spectralcomposition illustrated in FIG. 7 has a first-highest peak wavelength offrom 400 nm to 510 nm, from 400 nm to 510 nm, from 430 nm to 495 nm,from 430 nm to 470 nm, from 440 nm to 460 nm, from 445 nm to 455 nm, orfrom 449 nm to 451 nm (e.g., 450 nm). In one or more embodiments, thespectral composition of the radiant energy contributed by cool whiteLEDs 15 to the overall spectral composition illustrated in FIG. 7 has,with respect to the first-highest peak, a second-highest peak wavelengthof from 560 nm to 640 nm, from 580 nm to 620 nm, from 590 nm to 610 nm,or from 595 nm to 605 nm (e.g., 595 nm).

In one or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiantenergy contributed to the overall spectral composition illustrated inFIG. 7 by warm white LEDs 20 has a first-highest peak wavelength of from600 nm to 660 nm, from 620 nm to 640 nm, or from 625 nm to 635 nm. Inone or more embodiments, the spectral composition of the radiant energycontributed by warm white LEDs 20 to the collective spectral compositionillustrated in FIG. 7 has, with respect to the first-highest peak, asecond-highest peak wavelength of from 400 nm to 510 nm, from 430 nm to495 nm, from 420 nm to 460 nm, from 430 nm to 450 nm, or from 435 nm to445 nm.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in one or more embodiments, the overallspectral composition of the radiant energy collectively emitted by coolwhite LEDs 15 and warm white LEDs 20 includes wavelengths ranging fromat least 400 nm to 800 nm, which not only encompasses thephotosynthetically active radiation or “PAR” range of most plants (i.e.,440 nm to 700 nm), but also includes radiant energy at other wavelengthsthat promote plant growth. Unlike previously existing grow lights, inone or more embodiments the spectral composition of grow light 10includes radiant energy at wavelengths located between the bluewavelength spectrum (e.g., 455 nm to 492 nm) and the red wavelengthspectrum (620 nm to 780 nm). As illustrated in FIG. 7, for example, thespectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by grow light 10 notonly includes peaks in or near the blue and red spectrums (e.g., peaks120 and 125, respectively), but it also includes wavelengths 130 betweenthe blue and red wavelength spectrums at relative spectral powers thatare high enough to be of photosynthetic benefit to plants or othertarget organisms (e.g., at or above a predetermined threshold level ofrelative spectral power, such as 0.2 or greater, 0.3 or greater, or 0.4or greater, depending on the wavelength).

FIG. 8 is a graph 135 illustrating a tuned or configured spectralcomposition of an exemplary grow light having one or more light engines60 and a supplemental radiation engine 80 tuned or configured tosupplement or boost the spectral composition of grow light 10 in the redspectrum (i.e., 620 nm to 780 nm). As discussed with respect to FIGS. 5and 6, grow light 10 may include a supplemental radiation emitters 87electrically coupled to one or more drivers (e.g., driver 90 asillustrated in FIG. 6). In one or more embodiments, supplementalradiation emitters 87 may be configured to emit visible light. In one ormore embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 8 for example, the supplementalradiation emitters may be configured to emit visible light having aspectral composition that includes wavelengths ranging from 620 to 780nm (i.e., in what those of ordinary skill in the art should recognize asthe red spectrum), from 630 to 750 nm, or from 640 to 680 nm. As aresult, the overall spectral composition of the collective radiantenergy emitted by grow light 10 not only includes a first-highest peakwavelength 140 in the red spectrum (e.g., 620 to 780 nm), the spectralcomposition also includes a second-highest peak wavelength 145 in theblue spectrum (e.g., 455 nm to 492 nm), and a plurality of wavelengths150 between first-highest peak wavelength 140 and second-highest peakwavelength 145 at relative spectral powers that are high enough to be ofphotosynthetic benefit to plants or other target organisms (e.g., at orabove a predetermined threshold of relative spectral power, such as 0.2or greater, 0.3 or greater, or 0.4 or greater, depending on thewavelength).

Although FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary effect of supplementalradiation emitters 87 tuned or configured to boost the spectralcomposition of grow light 10 in the red spectrum, those of ordinaryskill in the art should recognize and appreciate that supplementalradiation emitters 87 may be tuned or configured to compliment,supplemental, boost, or otherwise influence the spectral composition ofgrow light 10 at other wavelengths. In one more embodiments, forexample, the spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted bysupplemental radiation emitters 87 (and thus contributed by supplementalradiation emitters 87 to the overall spectral composition of thecollective radiant energy emitted by grow light 10) may include, forexample, wavelengths ranging from 455 nm to 492 nm (i.e., in what thoseof ordinary skill in the art should recognize as the blue spectrum),from 465 to 480 nm, or from 470 to 475 nm. In one or more embodiments,the spectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by supplementalradiation emitters 87 may include wavelengths in the green wavelengthspectrum to provide photosynthetic benefits to certain species of redalgae. In one or more embodiments, the supplemental radiation emittersmay be configured to contribute ultraviolet and/or infrared radiation tothe collective radiant energy emitted by grow light 10.

FIG. 9 is a graph 155 illustrating a tuned or configured spectralcomposition of an exemplary grow light having one or more light engines60 and a supplemental radiation engine 80 tuned or configured tosupplement or boost the spectral composition of grow light 10 in theultraviolet spectrum. The spectral composition of the emittedultraviolet radiation may include, for example, wavelengths ranging from10 nm to 420 nm, from 300 nm to 420 nm, or from 350 nm to 420 nm. Thespectral composition of the emitted ultraviolet radiation may include afirst-highest peak wavelength of from 375 nm to 395 nm (e.g., 385 nm),from 385 nm to 405 nm (e.g., 395 nm), from 410 nm to 430 nm (e.g., 420nm), or other wavelengths. In one or more embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 9 for example, the ultraviolet radiation contributed by thesupplemental radiation emitters 87 to the overall spectral compositionof the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light 10 may result ina third-highest peak wavelength 175 with respect to a first-highest peakwavelength 165 and a second-highest peak wavelength 170. For purposes ofthis application, the term “third-highest peak wavelength” means thewavelength at which the source's radiant power is lower than at thefirst-highest peak wavelength and the second-highest peak wavelength,but greater than at all wavelengths other than the first-highest peakwavelength and the second-highest peak wavelength. As illustrated inFIG. 9, third-highest peak wavelength 175 may be at a wavelength of from385 nm to 390 nm. In one or more embodiments, third-highest peakwavelength 175 may be at a wavelength of from 300 to 400 nm, from 375 nmto 395 nm, from 385 nm to 405 nm, from 410 nm to 430 nm, or other rangeswithin the ultraviolet wavelength spectrum. The overall spectralcomposition of the collective radiant energy emitted by grow light 10may further include a plurality of wavelengths 180 between first-highestpeak wavelength 165 and second-highest peak wavelength 170 at relativespectral powers that are high enough to be of photosynthetic benefit toplants or other target organisms (e.g., at or above a predeterminedthreshold of relative spectral powers, such as 0.2 or greater, 0.3 orgreater, or 0.4 or greater, depending on the wavelength). In one or moreembodiments, supplemental light emitters 87 may be configured to emitinfrared radiation with a spectral composition that includes wavelengthsranging from 700 nm to 1 mm.

As those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate based onthe foregoing description and accompanying illustrations, in one or moreembodiments a method of manufacturing a grow light includes electricallycoupling a plurality of cool white LEDs (e.g., cool white LEDs 15illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) and a plurality of warm white LEDs (e.g., warmwhite LEDs 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) to a circuit board (e.g.,circuit board 65 illustrated in FIG. 3). The method may includeselecting an initial color temperature of each of the cool white LEDsand/or each of the warm white LEDs by using an integrating sphere.

The method further includes electrically coupling the cool white LEDsand the warm white LEDs to one or more drivers (e.g., either to a singleor multi-channel driver, such as driver 25 illustrated in FIG. 1, or toindependent drivers, such as drivers 30 and 35 illustrated in FIG. 2).In one or more embodiments, the method may include electrically couplingthe one or more drivers to a control module (e.g., control module 95illustrated in FIG. 6), which may be an autonomous control module, awireless control module, or other type of control module recognized assuitable by those of ordinary skill in the art. The method may furtherinclude electrically coupling one or more user control interfaces to theone or more drivers to permit a user (e.g., a manufacturer orhorticulturalist end-user) to repeatedly retune or reconfigure a levelof current provided from the one or more drivers to the cool white LEDsand/or warm white LEDs.

In one or more embodiments, the method may include electrically couplingone or more supplemental radiation emitters to the circuit board or toan independent, second circuit board of the grow light. The method mayinclude electrically coupling the supplemental radiation emitters to theone or more drivers (either to the same one or more drivers as the coolwhite LEDs and/or warm white LEDs or to an independent driver) and theone or more user control interfaces to permit the user (e.g., amanufacturer or horticulturalist end-user) to repeatedly retune orreconfigure a level of current provided from the one or more drivers tothe supplemental radiation emitters.

The method may include automatically retuning or reconfiguring the levelof current based on a predetermined trigger, event, time schedule (e.g.,a continuously updated sunrise/sunset calendar), or other parameter. Theautomatic retuning or configuring may occur through the receipt ofcontrol signals provided by a computerized control system (e.g., aserver-based or cloud-based application that includes, for instance, amobile application).

The method may include arranging the cool white LEDs, the warm whiteLEDs, and/or the supplemental radiation emitters such that a spacingamong some or all of the cool white LEDs, the warm white LEDs and/or thesupplemental radiation emitters is uniform. The method may includearranging the cool white LEDs and the warm white LEDs in an alternatingmanner (e.g., in alternating strips, rows, or columns of LEDs, or suchthat the LEDs alternate on the level of individual LEDs).

The method may include confirming that an overall intensity and/orspectral composition of the radiant energy emitted by the grow lightincludes a predetermined or target first-highest peak wavelength, apredetermined or target second-highest peak wavelength, a predeterminedor target third-highest peak wavelength, or additional predetermined ortarget peak wavelengths (e.g., by using a PAR meter or spectrometer,which in one or more embodiments may be integrated within the growlight).

The predetermined or target first-highest peak wavelength andsecond-highest peak wavelength may each be a wavelength of from 455 nmto 492 nm (i.e., in the blue spectrum) or from 620 nm to 780 nm (i.e.,in the red spectrum) to promote root growth, stem growth, flowering,and/or chlorophyll production, among other possible reasons. Thepredetermined or target third-highest peak wavelength may be awavelength of from 300 nm to 400 nm (i.e., within the ultravioletradiation spectrum) or from 700 nm to 1 mm (i.e., within the infraredradiation spectrum) to further promote photosynthesis and/or to promotecertain compounds that increase crop yield, among other possiblereasons. The method may include confirming that the spectral compositionincludes a plurality of wavelengths between the first-highest peakwavelength and the second-highest peak wavelength at a relative spectralpower that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold relative spectralpower (e.g., at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, or at least 0.4relative spectral power).

The foregoing description is presented for purposes of illustration. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter to theprecise forms disclosed. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize and appreciate that modifications and variations are possiblein light of, and contemplated by, the present teachings. The describedembodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of thesubject matter, its practical application, and to enable others skilledin the art to make use of the same in various embodiments and withvarious modifications as best suited for the particular applicationbeing contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A horticulture grow light comprising: a firstplurality of white LEDs having a color temperature greater than or equalto 4000 Kelvin (K) and configured to emit a first radiant energy; asecond plurality of white LEDs having a color temperature less than orequal to 3500 K and configured to emit a second radiant energy; and adriver configured to drive the first plurality of white LEDs and thesecond plurality of white LEDs, wherein, in a first mode, the driverprovides a first current level to the first plurality of white LEDs anda second current level to the second plurality of white LEDs such thatthe first and second radiant energy combine to have a first spectralcomposition having a first highest peak wavelength in a range from 400nm to 510 nm and a second highest peak wavelength in a range from 560 nmto 780 nm, and wherein, in a second mode, the driver provides a thirdcurrent level to the first plurality of white LEDs and a fourth currentlevel to the second plurality of white LEDs such that the first andsecond radiant energy combine to have a second spectral compositionhaving a first highest peak wavelength in a range from 560 nm to 780 nmand a second highest peak wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 510 nm.2. The horticulture grow light of claim 1, wherein the quantity of thefirst plurality of white LEDs is greater than the quantity of the secondplurality of white LEDs.
 3. The horticulture grow light of claim 1,wherein first plurality of white LEDs and the second plurality of whiteLEDs are configured in a plurality of alternating strips of the firstplurality of white LEDs and the second plurality of white LEDs.
 4. Thehorticulture grow light of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thefirst plurality of white LEDs and at least a portion of the secondplurality of white LEDs are configured such that each of the firstplurality of white LEDs is adjacent to at least two of the secondplurality of white LEDs.
 5. The horticulture grow light of claim 1,wherein the driver is a DC driver, and wherein the DC driver isconfigured to provide to each of the first plurality of white LEDs andeach of the second plurality of white LEDs a current level of greaterthan 30 mA.
 6. The horticulture grow light of claim 1, wherein, in thefirst mode, the first highest peak wavelength is in a range from 430 nmto 470 nm.
 7. The horticulture grow light of claim 6, wherein, in thefirst mode, the second highest peak wavelength is in a range from 560 nmto 640 nm.
 8. The horticulture grow light of claim 1, wherein the firstand second spectral compositions further comprise non-peak wavelengthsranging from 300 nm to 1000 nm.
 9. The horticulture grow light of claim1, wherein at least one wavelength between the first highest peakwavelength and the second highest peak wavelength has a relativespectral power greater than the relative spectral power of at least oneof the first highest peak wavelength and the second highest peakwavelength.
 10. The horticulture grow light of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second spectral compositions further comprise a third highestpeak wavelength in a range from 300 nm to 400 nm.
 11. The horticulturegrow light of claim 1, further comprising a control module configured toautomatically reconfigure the spectral composition based on aphotoautotroph growth cycle.
 12. The horticulture grow light of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of supplemental radiation emitters,wherein the supplemental radiation emitters are configured to emit atleast one of visible light, ultraviolet radiation having wavelengthsranging from 300 nm to 400 nm, or infrared radiation having wavelengthsranging from 700 nm to 1 mm.
 13. The horticulture grow light of claim 1,wherein the first plurality of white LEDs and the second plurality ofwhite LEDs are directly mounted on a substrate.
 14. The horticulturegrow light of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of white LEDs aredirectly mounted on a first substrate, and the second plurality of whiteLEDs are directly mounted on a second substrate.
 15. A horticulture growlight comprising a plurality of light engines, each light enginecomprising: a first plurality of white LEDs coupled to a circuit board,the first plurality of white LEDs having a color temperature greaterthan or equal to 4000 Kelvin (K) and being configured to emit a firstradiant energy; a second plurality of white LEDs coupled to the circuitboard, the second plurality of white LEDs having a color temperatureless than or equal to 3500 K and being configured to emit a secondradiant energy; and a driver configured to separately drive the firstplurality of white LEDs and the second plurality of white LEDs, wherein,in a first mode, the driver outputs a first current level to the firstplurality of white LEDs and a second current level to the secondplurality of white LEDs such that the first and second radiant energycombine to have a first spectral composition having a first-highest peakwavelength in a range from 560 nm to 780 nm and, with respect to thefirst-highest peak wavelength, a second-highest peak wavelength in arange from 400 nm to 510 nm, and wherein, in a second mode, the driveroutputs a third current level to the first plurality of white LEDs and afourth current level to the second plurality of white LEDs such that thefirst and second radiant energy combine to have a second spectralcomposition having a first-highest peak wavelength in a range from 400nm to 510 nm and a second-highest peak wavelength in a range from 560 nmto 780 nm.
 16. A horticulture grow light comprising: a first pluralitywhite LEDs having a color temperature greater than or equal to 4000Kelvin (K) and configured to emit a first radiant energy; a secondplurality white LEDs having a color temperature less than or equal to3500 K and configured to emit a second radiant energy; and a driverconfigured to drive the first plurality of white LEDs and the secondplurality of white LEDs, wherein, in a first mode, the first and secondradiant energy combine to have a first spectral composition having: afirst highest peak wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 510 nm; and asecond highest peak wavelength in a range from 560 nm to 780 nm;wherein, in a second mode, a first current provided to the firstplurality of white LEDs and a second current provided the secondplurality of white LEDs by the driver are modified such that the firstand second radiant energy combine to have a second spectral compositionhaving: a first highest peak wavelength in a range from 560 nm to 780nm; and a second highest peak wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 510nm.
 17. The horticulture grow light of claim 16, wherein the firstplurality of white LEDs and the second plurality of white LEDs aredirectly mounted to a substrate.